6th Jul 2006, 11:39

Please file your complaints here about your transmission problems with Lexus. If enough of us complain, they may force Lexus to recall or at least address the problem of their transmissions.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

10th Jul 2006, 15:35

Add yet another one. I purchased my 2000 Lexus RX 300 just last February with 82K miles on it. A one-owner vehicle and I had expected to be reliable at that mileage. Figured I'd get at least another 50K on it for sure. It is a Lexus after all.

It stranded me today with two small children in it on a busy street. In the shop presently and expected repair costs will be over $3k. I can't believe this poor level of quality.

12th Jul 2006, 14:03

Add another failed transmission. I purchased my 1999 Lexus Rx 300 with just over 30k miles on it. Just over 40K miles, while I was cruising in the middle of an interstate the transmission gave up on me. At first I heard a popping noise, then the car jerked and suddenly de-accelerated with a lot of grinding noise, luckily I was able to pullover safely. Had to be towed (for free thanks to AAA Club) about 90 miles to a dealership, and lucky for me the transmission was replaced under warranty and was given a loaner for a week.

18th Jul 2006, 18:28

2000 Lexus RX300 AWD... transmission is gone.. tab for a rebuilt transmission is $3500.00 (2500 for the transmission + 1000 for labor). Would we be able to gather enough people with the same problem to make a case against Toyota? How many more RX300 owners out there might have the same problem?

1st Aug 2006, 18:09

Wow this is unbelievable.. and to think I was just continuing my painful search for a transmission for my 1999 Lexus RX300. I can't believe this has been an ongoing problem and Lexus has done nothing... Hmmm.

My little SUV has about 90k miles on it, but I was very surprised a few weeks ago when it died to a stop on a dark road!

My vehicle was bought used and had a history of a major front end accident. There was extensive damage to the motor mount, sub- frame, transmission wire harness, and holes had to be drilled to re-attach things.. I didn't know this vehicle had 15k worth of repair damage, but it was done by a certified Lexus...

I'm now asking Lexus could this have caused my transmission to go out? By the way they quoted my 4600 for a repair and Lexus Corp. has not returned my call!

Any suggestion/ comments out there? I'm really in a bad situation. Thanks!

2nd Aug 2006, 20:35

P.S You may email me @ able24cu@aol.com with any helpful comments...I'm interested in highlighting this transmission problem. I wish I'd been warned!

20th Aug 2006, 17:24

1999 RX300 Lexus Truck - I brought it at 75000 miles for $12,000 from a school teacher. I have 144,000 miles on the car and have really never had any problems. However I decided I am going to trade it in for an upgrade. It's a great truck.

21st Aug 2006, 12:03

Another one bites the dust... 2000 RX 300, car was running fine, took it to the dealer for a general service.. Drove less than 1/2 mile from the dealership and it quit... Dealer somehow drove the car back... called me 2 days later saying the transmission needs replacing.. Car had been running smoothly... no transmissions issues before... 140,000 miles.

24th Aug 2006, 02:18

Hello everyone. I am about to buy a 2002 Lexus RX300 and would appreciate any advice you may have. I have been told by a retired mechanic that if everyone drove a Lexus, he would have been out of a job, and he said they are great cars and maintenance free. So on his honest advice, I'm going to consider buying this car in the next week or so, unless anyone should post a note saying otherwise.

Is it possible to get a extended warranty, and also will the dealer give me a loaner car, even if I am buying a used car?

Thanks for any advice.

30th Aug 2006, 08:55

I am trying to decide what to do at this rock and hard place with my 2000 Lexus RX. I love this car, however since warranty ended, I've had a series of high priced problems. Sensors mostly and a check engine light that always seems to be linked to a costly not less than 1K problem. It has been on and off for about three years now. Finally, I had a checkup done when my car started to infrequently jerk or delay reverse when put in gear. A 124 buck checkup assured me nothing was wrong with the transmission. That was last month and just yesterday, I got stranded in the rain and early morning traffic due to failure to accelerate. After towing to the dealership, I was later met with the news that the transmission's clutch was falling apart internally and needed to be replaced. 5700 is the quote and the car has 157000 miles. Disappointed, as I'd been told that following your scheduled maintenance would garner about 200+ miles on a Lexus. I'm faced with having to buy another car today or cough up the exorbitant amount of cash for the repair. Based on your comments, I guess I will cut my losses. Man, I loved that car!

6th Oct 2006, 12:57

Many Lexus cars are equipped with a defective transmission that fails prematurely. Lexus admits this, but will not back up their product when the event occurs out of warranty (7/70) - unless the vehicle was purchased and serviced exclusively at a Lexus dealership. Since the manufacturer is responsible for the replacement costs (not the dealer), the practice of replacing only dealer-serviced cars appears arrogant and discriminatory. If repair records can be provided showing that transmission service was done according to the dealer service intervals - and by a certified garage - then the manufacturer should back up their product regardless.

In our particular case, we have a babied 1999 RX300 that started making odd noises while in the warranty period, and then failed completely (post-warranty). The dealer has declined our request for a redesigned replacement transmission free of charge. We have submitted a claim through the Lexus CustomerCare number (1.800.448.1505), but understand that the manufacturer simply follows the recommendation of the dealer in question. In other words, we're at the mercy of the dealer and their discriminatory policy. We're still awaiting the manufacturer's judgement, but hold out very little hope.

Bottom line: Given that Lexus has acknowledged the elephant in the room, a correctly serviced Lexus transmission should be replaced by the manufacturer at no cost to the consumer. Lexus should back up their product - but don't due to their process. See http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_54694.html for more horror stories. This is a systemic problem with the tranny design and deserves a Recall Notice, or at least a Technical Service Bulletin.